BGE joined more than 100 energy companies across the United States and Canada in the effort to protect customers from scams targeting customers of electric, natural gas, water, and other utilities. BGE and its sister Exelon companies, Atlantic City Electric, ComEd, Delmarva Power, Pepco, and PECO are committed to educating customers and putting a stop to scamming.
“BGE is proud to join utilities across the country to partner in this important effort to help protect our customers against scamming,” said Rodney Oddoye, vice president and chief customer officer for BGE. “There may be occasions when BGE calls or visits homes or businesses to work on our equipment, but our customers can verify the work by calling us at 800-685-0123.”
When being scammed, a customer typically receives an unsolicited phone call from an individual who falsely claims to be a company representative. The scammer warns that the customer’s service will be shut off if they fail to make a payment— usually within a short timeframe through a prepaid debit card.
Scammers have even duplicated the upfront Interactive Voice Response system of some companies, so when customers call the number provided by the scammer, it sounds like a legitimate business. Some scammers also use caller ID “spoofing” to replicate a utility’s phone number.
Red flags for scam activity:
- •The scammer often becomes angry and tells a customer his or her account is past due and service will be shut off if
- a large payment isn’t made— usually within less than an hour.
- •The scammer instructs the customer to purchase a prepaid debit or credit card— widely available at most retail stores— then call him or her back to make a payment.
- •The scammer asks the customer for the prepaid card’s receipt number and PIN number, which grants instant access to the funds loaded to the card.
How to protect yourself:
- •Utility representatives will never ask or require a customer with a past due balance to purchase a prepaid debit card to avoid disconnection.
- •Customers can make payments online, by phone, automatic bank withdrawal, mail or in person.
- •Customers with a past due balance will receive multiple shut off notifications – never a single notification one hour before disconnection.
- •If a customer ever questions the legitimacy of the call, hang up and call BGE at 800-685-0123.
- Don’t Get Scammed: Customers can avoid being scammed by taking a few precautions:
- •Never provide your social security number or personal information to anyone initiating contact with you claiming to be a utility representative or requesting you to send money to another person or entity other than your local utility providers.
- •Always ask to see a company photo ID before allowing any utility worker into your home or business.
- •Never make a payment for services to anyone coming to your door.
- Any customer who believes he or she has been a target of a scam is urged to contact their local police and call BGE immediately at 800-685-0123 to report the situation.